Is Petsmart a good place for aquatic plants?

I must admit, I kinda jumped headfirst into this, but I need a plant to help my angelfish survive until I can get more suitable tank for him. I was wondering if PetsMart was a good place to look, or is it like Wal Mart with fish, sickly and dying?

I already know I was wrong in believing the starter set. I was under the impression that it did not need to cycle. In fact, the instructions didn't say anything about cycling. Trying to lower the pH, and provide a safe hiding place for him. I know there is ammonia present, I'm waiting for the store to open so I can get some SeaChem Regulator to keep the GH pH at more suitable level, and was also told that live plants improve the overall quality of the water. I'm told they absorb some ammonia and nitrites, which always sounds good. Obviously, they produce more oxygen for the fish. I don't know what KH means, but GH was somewhere around 200-225. pH was high approx. 7.6 or 7.8. I'm going to maintain the starter tank at 7.0, but his next tank will be lower, around 6.5 or so. Right now, I've got a towel around the tank to keep him a little more relaxed.

I'm also using an included undergravel filter, and am going to get new lighting for the plant. It's just an LED light that colors. Wasn't being picky, but I realize now that I should've been more meticulous. I was more concerned with getting the fish out of its mortifying surroundings. And the guy that got him for us didn't know anything about fish either, because he would've told me I needed an ammonia test kit. Lucky for Dante, I realized that's his main problem. I'm being really careful to monitor his behavior and the levels in the tank. I'm currently using the Tetra SafeStart to help promote a little nitrifying bacteria, and the AquaSafe conditioner the starter kit came with. He's not eating, but I'm not too worried about that yet, because he's not feeling too good right now. I hope he can hold out a little longer for me to do a water change and implement some of the SeaChem, to help improve the levels. Never jumping in headfirst again! I'm determined not to let my lil guy die though, so here I am. I also have an account on My Aquarium Club. I could use all the help I can get.

Yeah, I've been doing 30% changes once a day, to try and control the ammonia levels. Thanks, I'll probably have to drive across town. The closest one has bad reviews. If you're ever in San Antonio, I probably wouldn't recommend Alamo Aquatic Pets. Too many customers said that the associates ignore the customers, and one even went so far as to say that he almost into a fight with one. Another said he called the owner to complain, but the owner said he didn't give a crap about his business. Some said the service was fine,, but the majority was bad.

30% water changes once a day are not sufficient if there is ammonia in your tank. Even a barely detectable amount can kill your fish. You're probably looking at multiple 50% changes every day to keep ammonia as close to 0 as possible. You need to base your changes on water tests... test for ammonia, if present change water and retest. Repeat until Ammonia is no longer detectable. Treat with Prime to help. Once your ammonia is staying at 0, start testing everything... ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Once you reach 0-0-0 (or 0-0->20) you're good to go. Then just do a small water change whenever nitrate reaches 20-40 ppm (usually once or twice a week for new tanks).

I wouldn't worry too much about the SeaChem Regulator... pH should generally be left alone and most fish do fine over a wide range of pH. If you start dumping chemicals in to fix something that isn't really an issue you're just stressing the fish further. You can't reliably change your pH without adding something to the tank to help it buffer out at a certain point. Since you're obviously new to aquariums, just leave the pH alone... it will be fine.

A plant will help with water quality, but it's not a miracle worker and will take weeks to make much of a difference. A single plant is not likely to do much on it's own.

Don't bother with the buffers (ever) or plants (yet), spend your money on a big bottle of tetra safestart or nite-out and some seachem prime (petsmart or petco carries both, only these 2 products don't bother with others). Add the bacterial start after a large water change then don't do anything. If the ammonia gets too high add a little prime to convert it too ammonium (which is still available to bacteria)

IMO petsmart is good for frets and medicines and food and what not its usually cheaper then the lfs. And plant wise I would also check out Aquabid.com I got a ton of plants for my 140g from a user named Mikeswetpets on aquabid. Came quick and awesome and quality. I recommend a lot of anubias and plants with rhizomes and barwroots they suck up a lot more of problem nutes. And they are low light so they would work with your LEDs as well. I would also just tie some anubias to some driftwood. The wood will lower your ph some naturally too. Not a whole lot but some. And I recommend Seachem Stability. (bacteria supplement) along with seachem prime. The prime will keep your fish alive and comfortable if used correctly. It will kill the ammonia daily.

Don't bother with the buffers (ever) or plants (yet), spend your money on a big bottle of tetra safestart or nite-out and some seachem prime (petsmart or petco carries both, only these 2 products don't bother with others). Add the bacterial start after a large water change then don't do anything. If the ammonia gets too high add a little prime to convert it too ammonium (which is still available to bacteria)

I second this. I didn't cycle my tank correctly either when I started up again a few months ago. At some point, after the tank had been running for more than a month, I think a re-initiated the cycle by redoing my aquascape. I could tell that my fish were struggling. I bought a bottle of Tetra Safestart and saw immediate improvement from my fish, and everything has been good since then (other than dealing with ich).

Don't bother with the buffers (ever) or plants (yet), spend your money on a big bottle of tetra safestart or nite-out and some seachem prime (petsmart or petco carries both, only these 2 products don't bother with others). Add the bacterial start after a large water change then don't do anything. If the ammonia gets too high add a little prime to convert it too ammonium (which is still available to bacteria)

thats the best way to go. the safestart is basically the good bacteria the cycle creates, but in a bottle. do a big water change, and dose the safestart (also dose prime if you are using tap water) i belive the safestart is 1 ml per gallon, so a 10g tank would need 10mls, and don't worry the cap on safestart is marked so you can measure.

then down the road if you do a water change you only need to dose the safestart for the water you remove. so if you take out 5g you would need to dose 5ml, 2g would be 2ml.

definitely purchase the terta safestart (fairly inexpensive at walmarts) and the seachem prime. the prime will temoprarily convert the ammonia into safe products for your fish and will allow your newly added bacteria from the safestart to eat the ammonia up. water changes are still important with monitoring.
and what size is the tank? filtration?

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